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delude

verb
de·​lude | \ di-ˈlüd How to pronounce delude (audio) , dÄ“-\
deluded; deluding

Definition of delude

transitive verb

1 : to mislead the mind or judgment of : deceive, trick … people he regards as deluded by the romantic idea that children somehow possess innate knowledge …— Andrew Delbanco … Hamilton apparently deluded himself, as the first Treasury secretary, into thinking his policies patriotic when their effect, Mr. Phillips says, was to put money into silken purses.— Michael Knox Beran

2 obsolete

a : frustrate, disappoint
b : evade, elude
Other Words from delude Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about delude

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Other Words from delude

deluder noun

Choose the Right Synonym for delude

deceive, mislead, delude, beguile mean to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness. deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness. tried to deceive me about the cost mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional. I was misled by the confusing sign delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth. we were deluded into thinking we were safe beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving. was beguiled by false promises

Examples of delude in a Sentence

we deluded ourselves into thinking that the ice cream wouldn't affect our diet

Recent Examples on the Web

 Amid the turbulence of unemployment, stop-and-search laws and bigotry facing black youths in 1980s Britain, two former friends square off in the ring in the hope — perhaps deluded — that a sports title might offer a way out. — Philip Brandes, latimes.com, "Hollywood Fringe Festival kicks off three-week marathon of 400-plus shows," 14 June 2019 Each day is fragile and fleeting, but a few more days of its caliber and a fellow could be deluded into believing the world had achieved perfection. — Bulletin Board, Twin Cities, "Sunday Bulletin Board: What’s the most spectacular view you’ve seen since … well, since yesterday?," 4 Aug. 2019 Consider this advanced therapy for casual fans deluding themselves that the M’s can compete this year. — Matt Calkins, The Seattle Times, "If you like spring training, you’re in luck. The Mariners’ season will be six months of it.," 27 Mar. 2019 Has he been deluded in the past, and is only now seeing hard reality? — Martin Peretz, WSJ, "‘The Empire and the Five Kings’ Review: The Desert Grows," 12 Feb. 2019 The theory that all children are geniuses came from the marketing team at Baby Einstein or deluded parents. — Tamar Adler, Vogue, "Is Healthy Snack Food Actually Healthy—or Just Addictive?," 18 Jan. 2019 Well, if candidates all deluded themselves like that, no one would ever get a gig. — Mattie Kahn, Glamour, "Bethenny Frankel Doesn't Need to Be Thanked. But She Wouldn't Mind a Little Gratitude From President Trump.," 14 Sep. 2018 At this point, for me, Ford and the Man in Black are different sides of the same megalomaniacal coin, deluded and increasingly tiresome to watch. — The Atlantic, "Westworld: Ghost Nation, Revealed," 10 June 2018 Using the argument of art’s truth as a bludgeon, Annie dismisses her son’s feelings, offering an even harsher version of the neglect on display by the self-servingly deluded poet-mother in Augusten Burroughs’s memoir Running With Scissors. — Katherine Fusco, The Atlantic, "Hereditary and the Monstrousness of Creative Moms," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'delude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of delude

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for delude

Middle English, from Latin deludere, from de- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous

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More Definitions for delude

delude

verb
How to pronounce delude (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of delude

: to cause (someone) to believe something that is not true

See the full definition for delude in the English Language Learners Dictionary

delude

verb
de·​lude | \ di-ˈlüd How to pronounce delude (audio) \
deluded; deluding

Kids Definition of delude

: deceive sense 1, mislead They were deluded by the ad's claims.

delude

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